High Efficiency Ultra-Wideband Amplifier

ABSTRACT

An amplifier comprising a current-biased active device, a voltage-biased active device, the voltage-biased active device and the current-biased active device are connected in series, to form a cascade of active devices, and an input terminal and an output terminal, the cascade of active devices connected between the input terminal and the output terminal, having an output terminal for driving a load impedance with an output signal in response to an input signal applied to the input terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Field of the Disclosure

The present matter relates generally to signal amplifiers and morespecifically to wide bandwidth and high efficiency power amplifiers forradio frequency (RF) applications.

BACKGROUND

An ever-increasing demand, primarily by consumers, for higher data ratesand higher quality wireless communication systems results in new andcontinuously developing standards. This compels wireless networkoperators and service providers to install new or upgradedinfrastructures to accommodate these better service standards. Hardwarein general is a more expensive component of the wireless communicationsinfrastructure as compared to software with a result that hardwareupgrades are more expensive compared to software upgrades. One-way tomitigate this is to have hardware that can work efficiently over a largefrequency bandwidth and therefore accommodate the ever-increasing datarate and quality standards and thereby less frequent upgrades.

From a consumer's perspective mobile terminals or user equipment shouldalso be able to operate in several frequency bands so that they can workwith different standards. Furthermore, having mobile terminals withwideband hardware makes them usable in more operator networks and morecountries around the world. Having wideband hardware also provides thecapability of using the same terminal for different applications in asystem.

A common component in wireless communications systems that may benefitfrom having a wide operating bandwidth is the radio frequency (RF) poweramplifier, which delivers (in a wireless transmitter) a high frequencysignal with a required RF power to the antenna.

Furthermore, since the energy for the RF power amplifier to drive a loadis generated by a power supply, the average efficiency (defined as theratio of the average output power to the average supply DC power) is tobe considered in power amplifier design. In base stations, highefficiency power amplifiers translate into lower energy cost foroperating the power amplifier as well as lower energy consumption bycooling systems, which are typically used with high power amplifiers inbase stations. In the case of mobile terminals, a high efficiency poweramplifier results in longer battery life.

To achieve higher data rates, standards implement complex modulation andmultiplexing schemes such as quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM),orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and othermulti-carrier schemes. These signals present high spectrum efficiency,but they also have high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). This meansthat the power amplifier is required to manage signals with a large timevarying envelope. Such high values of PAPR implies that the amplifiersoperates mostly at an average output power that is much lower (back-offcondition) than its attainable saturated output power, which reduces theoverall efficiency.

Designing high efficiency power amplifiers for high PAPR signals in awide frequency band is challenging. The active device, typically atransistor is subject to various electrical constraints on itsperformance. Different topologies of active devices have beenimplemented to mitigate constraints on the individual active devices.Well-known power amplification topologies that provide high efficiencyfor high PAPR signals are for example, load-modulated amplifiers (suchas the Doherty Power Amplifier), outphasing amplifiers and push pullamplifiers. Amplifiers are classified according to their circuitconfigurations and mode of operation and are designated by differentclasses of operation such as class “A”, class “B”, class “C”, class“AB”, etc. These different amplifier classes range from a near linearoutput but with low efficiency to a non-linear output but with a highefficiency. Each of these classes has a different bias point or positionof the Q point for operating the amplifier. In order for the activedevices to operate efficiently in a particular topology, appropriatebias conditions must be defined for the device. Transistors are usuallybiased using a constant voltage source.

The Doherty amplifier is an example of multi-branch amplifier topologycomposed of a main active device (commonly denoted as carrier amplifier)operating in class-AB providing signal amplification for all inputsignal levels, at least one auxiliary active device (commonly denoted aspeaking amplifier) operating in class-C providing signal amplificationstarting from a predefined signal level, an input analog power dividerfor splitting the input signal between the carrier amplifier and thepeaking amplifier, a non-isolated Doherty output power combiner forcombining the outputs of the carrier amplifier and the peaking amplifierwhich includes quarter wavelength transformers, and 50 Ohms linesinserted at the input of the peaking amplifiers and/or carrier amplifierto balance the delay between the branches of the Doherty amplifier.However, Doherty amplifiers have limited operational bandwidth and arerequired to have quasi-open output impedance at the output of thepeaking branch, which limits its operational bandwidth. The Dohertyamplifier also needs impedance inverters, which cannot be implemented invery large bandwidth.

The outphasing amplifier topology splits an input signal into twoconstant envelope phase modulated signals that are amplified by highefficiency non-linear amplifiers and then combined at the output.However the outphasing amplifier is also limited in bandwidth due to thenarrow-band power combiner used in its structure.

The push-pull amplifier is another amplifier topology that has high peakenergy efficiency. Push-pull amplifiers, utilize two transistors thatare biased in class B (near the cut-off region). Each transistor worksfor half of the input signal cycle and delivers current to the load inthe corresponding half cycle. To ensure proper on/off cycles,transistors of different types are needed in push-pull amplifier. Forexample using bipolar technology, one of the transistors has to be ofNPN type and the other transistor should be of PNP type. For FETtransistors, one of the transistors has to be of N-channel type and theother transistor should be of P-channel type. In some applications twotypes of transistors cannot be used. If the same types of transistorsare used in push-pull amplifier, one transformer is needed at the inputof the amplifier and one transformer is needed at the output of theamplifier. Using transformers limit the operating frequency band of theamplifier and results in larger circuit size.

SUMMARY

The present matter relates to high efficiency ultra-wideband amplifiers.

In accordance with a general aspect of the present matter there isprovided a biasing configuration for an active device that does notrequire the use of a bandwidth limiting circuit element in the signalpath when the active device is incorporated into an amplifier topology.

Accordingly there is provided in one aspect of the present matter amethod for operating an amplifier over a wide bandwidth comprising:connecting an active device between a signal input and a signal outputof the amplifier; connecting a bias source to bias the active device tooperate the active device with an increasing output power withincreasing load impedance.

In a further aspect the present matter provides an amplifier comprisingan active device coupled at its outputs to drive a load, the loadpresenting a dynamic impedance to the device; and a biasing circuitconfigured to bias the active device to operate the active device sothat an output power of the active device increases with increasing loadimpedance.

In accordance with a further aspect the active device is a transistor.

In accordance with a still further aspect the biasing circuit is acurrent source.

In a further aspect the amplifier is one of a multi-branch amplifier orpush-pull amplifier.

In accordance with a further aspect the current source is coupled toprovide bias for at least one transistor in the amplifier.

In a further aspect the present matter the amplifier is a push-pullamplifier utilizing a single type transistor.

In accordance with an aspect of the present matter there is provided amultiple branch amplifier wherein at least one branch of the multiplebranch amplifier includes at least one current-biased transistoramplifier.

The multiple branch amplifier further includes an auxiliarytransistor-based amplifier wherein the current-biased transistoramplifier in combination with the auxiliary amplifier enhances theefficiency of the multiple branch amplifier at large output powerback-off levels over a multiple-octave frequency range.

In accordance with a further aspect, efficiency of the multiple branchamplifier is determined by the behavior of the current-biased mainamplifier.

A further aspect provides for one or more transistor-based amplifiersfor the auxiliary branches.

A further aspect provides for the auxiliary branch amplifier to beeither voltage-biased or current-biased.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present matter there isprovided a method for a multiple branch amplifier the method comprising:applying sub signals of an input communications signal to respectiveinputs of respective branches of the multiple branch amplifier, each subsignal carries a portion of the input communication signal; and settinga relative phase of the sub signals to result in constructive powercombination at outputs of the amplifier branches.

In accordance with a further aspect the method includes using a powerdivider and delay lines over an operating frequency range to generatethe sub signals.

In accordance with a further aspect of the method, the divider and delaylines are used when the multiple branch amplifiers is operated as asingle-input amplifier.

In accordance with a further aspect the method includes using base bandsignal delay algorithms to generate the sub signals.

In accordance with a further aspect of the method, the base band signaldelay algorithms are used when the multiple branch amplifier isconfigured as a transmitter.

In accordance with a further aspect of the method the transmitterincludes a baseband module; up-converter; and amplifier.

In another aspect the present matter further includes one or more biasfeedback networks. The bias feedback network being used to stabilize ortune bias points of the transistor-based amplifier according toamplitude of the input sub signal.

In another aspect the present matter further includes an output networkfor converting the amplifier's output load impedance to an optimumoutput load impedances at output terminals of the amplifier branches.

In another aspect the present matter further includes an input networkfor converting the input communication signal source impedance to anoptimum input source impedance at input terminals of the respectivebranches.

In another aspect the present matter the input network is used to splitthe input communication signal into sub signals between the respectivebranches.

In another aspect of the present matter the input network is amulti-port input network. In this case, the input communication signalis applied to the input of the multi-port input network.

In accordance with another aspect of the present matter there isprovided a push-pull amplifier utilizing two transistors of the sametype wherein one transistor is biased by a constant current source andthe second transistor is biased by a constant voltage source.

In another aspect the present matter the push-pull amplifier furtherincludes one or more input bias sources. The input bias sources may beused to reduce the distortions in the output signal.

In another aspect the present matter the push-pull amplifier furtherincludes an input network for converting an input signal sourceimpedance to an optimum input source impedance at the input terminal ofthe push-pull amplifier.

In another aspect the present matter the push-pull amplifier furtherincludes an output network for converting the amplifier's output loadimpedance to an optimum output load impedance at the output terminal ofthe push-pull amplifier.

In another aspect the present matter the push-pull amplifier furtherincludes one or more bias feedback networks. The bias feedback networkmay be used to stabilize or tune the bias points of the transistor-basedamplifier according to the input signal amplitude.

In another aspect the present matter the push-pull amplifier furtherincludes a switch circuit at the output terminal of the current-biasedtransistor. The switch circuit being used to prevent the output currentof the voltage biased transistor from leaking into the current-biasedtransistor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure will be better understood with reference to thedrawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a voltage-biased amplifier and load linecharacteristics for the amplifier;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic circuit block diagram of a typical Dohertyamplifier;

FIGS. 3A and 3B show a current-biased amplifier and load linecharacteristics for the amplifier;

FIG. 3C shows a schematic circuit diagram of load modulation using theprinciple of load pulling with two active devices;

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic block diagram of a multi-branchamplifier according to an exemplary embodiment of the present matter;

FIG. 5 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 7 shows a schematic block diagram of a multiple port outputnetwork;

FIG. 8 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 9 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of a multiple port inputnetwork;

FIG. 11 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 12A shows a schematic block diagram of a current-biasedtransistor-based amplifier branch;

FIG. 12B shows a schematic block diagram of a current-biasedtransistor-based amplifier branch;

FIG. 13 shows a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of adual branch amplifier according to an embodiment of the present matter;

FIG. 14 shows a graph of power added efficiency versus operatingfrequency for a two-branch amplifier according to an embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 15 shows a graph of output power versus operating frequency for atwo-branch amplifier according to an embodiment of the present matter;

FIGS. 16A and 16B show schematic diagrams of typical push-pullamplifiers having transistors of different types and similar typesrespectively;

FIG. 17 shows a schematic block diagram of a push-pull amplifieraccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present matter;

FIG. 18A shows an input voltage waveform of the push-pull amplifier ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 18B shows a current waveform of the respective current biased andvoltage biased transistors in the push-pull amplifier of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18C shows an output current waveform for the push-pull amplifier ofFIG. 17;

FIG. 19 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of apush-pull amplifier according to the present matter;

FIG. 20 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 21 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 22 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter;

FIG. 23 shows a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of thepresent matter; and

FIG. 24 shows a schematic block diagram of still another embodiment ofthe present matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following preferred embodiments of the invention are provided andconsidered for discussion and clarification but are not intended tolimit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. Throughoutthe drawings like parts are indicated by like element numbers. In thedescription, two-branch and three-branch amplifiers are described asexamples of multiple branch amplifiers. However it should be understoodthat multiple branch amplifies with more than three branches may equallywell be implemented in accordance with the principles taught herein. Ina traditional voltage biased arrangement the power output by the activedevice is inversely related to the load impedance seen by the activedevice so with a dynamic load the voltage biased transistor drives anoutput power that is inversely proportional to changes in the load,whereas with a constant current source the output power of the activedevice into the load is directly proportional to changes in the load, sothe output power increases (decreases) with increasing (decreasing)load. The behavior of current-biased active device differs from thebehavior of voltage-biased active device. This behavior may for examplebe characterized in terms of load-line and current/voltage waveforms.

In one embodiment of the present matter the biasing circuit is aconstant current source. In another embodiment the biasing circuit is adynamic source for providing power to the active device so that theoutput power of the active device into the load is directly proportionalto changes in the load.

Referring to FIG. 1A where there is shown a circuit diagram of a typicalamplifier 40. The amplifier 40 comprises a single active device 42 (inthis case a BJT), voltage source 44 providing a bias voltage across theactive device and a load R driven from the output of the active device42. For a BJT for example FIG. 1B shows the load lines of the transistorwhen biased to operate in class AB. The load lines for different valuesof load resistance R are superposed on a graph of the amplifier biascurrent (I_(C)) versus collector-emitter voltage V_(CE) (characteristiccurves). The bias point is shown for the class AB voltage bias. As canbe seen from FIG. 1B, maximum collector current swing for higher loadimpedances is lower than the current swing for lower load impedances.Accordingly, for higher load impedances the amplifier saturates at loweroutput power levels.

Power performance of an amplifier is mainly determined by loadimpedances presented to the active device. Multi-branch amplifiers whichuse two or more active devices for example allow the load impedance tobe varied with input drive level. For example, referring to FIG. 2 thereis shown a topology 10 of a typical Doherty technique, which allows theload impedance to be modified with input drive level. The Dohertyamplifier comprises a main branch 11 (with carrier amplifier 13) andauxiliary branch 12 (with peaking amplifier 17) connected together todrive a load resistance 18 connected to an output node 15. The Dohertyamplifier decreases the load impedance as seen by the carrier amplifier13 in the main branch such that the carrier amplifier 13 remains insaturation and provides higher efficiency in a larger output powerrange. When the auxiliary branch 12 delivers current to the output node15, it increases the load impedance seen by the main branch 11. Thiseffect is generally referred to as load modulation. In other words tomaximize the efficiency of one device (i.e. Main) while its output loadis changing (by the current supplied by the Auxiliary device), thevoltage swing across it has to be maintained constant. In order toguarantee such a constraint, it is necessary to interpose animpedance-inverting network between the load (R) 18 and the Mainamplifier 13.

The impedance inverter 14 (typically a quarter wavelength transmissionline at the nominal operating frequency of the RF amplifier) used in themain branch 11 to invert the load modulation effect and obtain thedecreasing load impedance needed at the amplifier's output node 16 isfrequency dependent. The frequency dependent impedance inverter 14limits the operational bandwidth of Doherty amplifier.

Referring to FIG. 3A there is shown a schematic diagram 50 of anamplifier having a current source instead of a voltage source forbiasing the active device according to an embodiment of the presentmatter. The amplifier 50 comprises a current source 54 coupled to theactive device 52 (for example a BJT, FET, MOSFET, LDMOS etc) and a loadimpedance R driven by the active device 52. Referring to FIG. 3B thereis shown the load lines of the current source biased amplifier 50. Usingthe current source for biasing, the amplifier saturates at lower outputpower for lower load impedance. As shown in FIG. 3B, for the lower loadimpedance of R1, maximum voltage swing is equal to V1-Vk. By increasingthe load impedance to R2 and R3, maximum voltage swing is increased toV2-Vk and V3-Vk respectively. Maximum output power from the transistoris proportional to the value of maximum transistor's voltage swing. Thusit may be seen that with increasing load impedance, the maximumobtainable output power increases. This trend is the opposite to thevoltage biasing case illustrated in FIG. 1. Therefore a consequence ofusing this type of biasing is that there is no need for the impedanceinverter when adding auxiliary branches. The load modulation at thecombining point (i.e. increasing load impedance with increasingauxiliary branch output current) is the same as that of thecurrent-biased amplifier to remain in saturation and provide highefficiency. Consequently, proper load modulation at the output of thecurrent-biased amplifier can be guaranteed in a large bandwidth withoutthe need for frequency selective narrowband impedance inverters.

The above may be better understood by the below discussion wherein thecharacteristics of a current-biased N-channel FET transistor areexplained to exemplify differences between a current biased transistorand a voltage-biased transistor. These characteristics apply to othertransistors technologies and circuit topologies, such as BJT's, MOSFET,JFETS, LDMOS etc.

-   -   1. In a class B (or AB) biased voltage-biased N-channel FET, the        (physical) channel inside transistor is pinched off and a low        current flows inside transistor, but in the current-biased        transistor, the channel is open and a high current flows into        the transistor while the voltage is still low.    -   2. The output impedance of a voltage-biased transistor is high        while the output impedance of the current-biased transistor is        low.    -   3. The voltage-biased transistor's output (drain-source) model        may be viewed, as a current source while the current-biased        transistor model is a voltage source.    -   4. Following from points 2 and 3, the optimum load impedance for        gain is high for voltage-biased transistors and the optimum        load-impedance for current-biased transistor is low. This makes        the transistor behave differently in terms of load impedance for        small-signal operation.    -   5. For large signal operation, in a load-pull configuration, it        may be seen by simulation (or measurement) that the behavior of        the voltage-biased and current-biased transistors are different.        For a voltage-biased transistor, optimum load impedance (for        maximum output power and efficiency) increases with input power        while the optimum load impedance (for maximum output power and        efficiency) for current-biased transistor decreases with input        power. This can also be more clearly seen from the inferred from        the load lines in FIGS. 1B and 3B.    -   6. A class B voltage-biased transistor injects current into the        load impedance in a positive half cycle of the input signal, but        in a current-biased counterpart of a class B amplifier current        is injected b the device into the load in the negative        half-cycle of the input signal.    -   For a multi-branch amplifier with the auxiliary amplifier biased        in class C (voltage biased), the main amplifier sees a low value        of load impedance R1 (Referring to FIG. 3B) causing it to        saturate at low power (voltage swing reaches a maximum voltage        swing of V1−Vk and the current swing reaches its maximum of IQ).        After this point, if the auxiliary amplifier is not present, the        voltage and current waveforms are cut (clipped) and amplifier's        gain will drop leading to gain compression. When the auxiliary        amplifier turns on, it injects current into the load impedance        RL. The first harmonic components of the main amplifier's output        current and peaking amplifier's output current have the same        phase resulting in their currents adding in-phase.

Referring to FIG. 3C, there is shown a schematic circuit diagram of loadmodulation using the principle of load pulling with two active devices.As may be seen the load impedance seen by the main amplifier iscalculated as:

$\begin{matrix}{{{It}\mspace{14mu} R_{L,m}} = {\frac{V_{L}}{I_{m}} = {\frac{R_{L}\left( {I_{m} + I_{p}} \right)}{I_{m}} = {{RL}\; \left( {1 + \frac{I_{p}}{I_{m}}} \right)}}}} & (1)\end{matrix}$

Thus by increasing Ip/Im, the load seen by the main amplifier increases.When the load impedance increases, it may be seen from FIG. 3B, thecurrent-biased transistor can have more voltage swing (V2−Vk for loadimpedance of R2 and V3−Vk for load impedance of R3). When the auxiliaryamplifier delivers current to the load, the main amplifier can delivermore power to the load (due to increased voltage swing for thecurrent-biased transistor). For the voltage-biased transistor, loadimpedance needs to be decreased to obtain more current swing, whichcontradicts, equation (1) above. That is why an impedance inverter isneeded for voltage-biased transistors (Doherty structure). However byusing a current-biased transistor, no impedance inverter is neededbecause the need for the impedance to increase is met when the peakingamplifier turns on.

This use of current source instead of a voltage source for biasing theactive device may be implemented in a variety of different amplifiertopologies. For example, referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a schematicblock diagram of a multi-branch amplifier 100 according to an embodimentof the present matter. The multi-branch amplifier 100 includes twobranches, a main branch 120 and an auxiliary branch 121. The main branch120 includes a transistor-based main amplifier 101 having an inputterminal 114A and output terminal 122, a constant current source bias(also termed herein simply as a current bias) 104 connected to theoutput terminal of the main amplifier 101 and the auxiliary branch 121includes a transistor-based auxiliary amplifier 102 also having an inputterminal 114B and output terminal 123. The auxiliary amplifier 102 isbiased through its output terminal by an output bias2 source 105. Theoutput bias2 source 105 may be either a voltage source or a currentsource. Each branch also includes respective input bias sources, inputbias1 110 and input bias2 111 for biasing the respective input terminalsof the transistor-based amplifiers, 101, 102.

The output signals of the respective amplifiers 101 and 102 are combinedat an output-combining node 115.

In other embodiments for example, the input biases 110 and 111 can besupplied from a single source rather than separate sources asillustrated.

In operation an input signal is applied to respective input portterminals input1 port 114A and input2 port 114B, of the respectiveamplifiers 101 and 102. The input signals from the input1 port 114A andinput2 port 114B are amplified by amplifiers 101 and 102 respectively.The two amplified signals are combined at the output power-combiningnode 115. The combined output signals at the output power-combining node115 are combined and fed to an output 116 of the multichannel amplifier100.

When the power of the input signal increases, the output current fromtransistor-based auxiliary amplifier 102 increases the load impedanceseen by the current biased transistor-based main amplifier 101.Referring to FIG. 3, this mechanism allows current biasedtransistor-based main amplifier 101 to remain in saturation over a widepower range without the need for any additional circuit elements.

At low input power levels, current source-biased transistor-based mainamplifier 101 has almost constant optimum load impedance regardless ofthe frequency of operation. Presenting optimum load impedance to thetransistor guarantees high energy efficiency for the transistoramplifier. As the input power goes up, the optimal load impedance variesalong a trajectory that is almost insensitive to the change in frequencyof operation. This can be inferred from the transistor-based amplifier'sload line along with current/voltage curves or verified throughload-pull simulation and measurements. These two features along with thefact that no additional circuit elements are needed for optimum loadmodulation distinguish current-biased devices from their voltage-biasedcounterparts, and greatly facilitate the design of the amplifier foroperation over wide bandwidth and large output power range. Thetransistor-based auxiliary amplifier 102 is biased using output bias2source 105. Output bias2 source 105 can be either a voltage source, or acurrent source.

Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown a multi-branch amplifier 200according to another embodiment of the present matter. The multi-branchbranch amplifier 200 is similar to the embodiment of a two branchamplifier illustrated in FIG. 4 but with two additional bias feedbacknetworks 201 and 202 connected between the respective input biases 110and 111 and the respective input terminals 114A and 114B. Current-biasedtransistor-based main amplifier 101 has constant bias current. Its biasvoltage, however, is dependent on the input power. Due to theamplifier's bias point, the voltage waveform at the output terminal ofthe main amplifier are half sine waves for a sinusoidal input signal. Byincreasing input power level, the amplitude of the half sine waveincreases causing the average (DC) voltage on the main amplifier'soutput to increase. For amplitude-modulated signals, the bias voltagefor current-biased transistor-based main amplifier 101 varies accordingto the envelope of the input signal. This varying voltage can be usedfor bias stabilization and input bias adaptation by using bias feedbacknetworks 201 and 202. The input bias adaptation can be used to get moreoutput power or for linearization of the whole amplifier. Bias feedback1201 can also be used to avoid thermal runaway when biasingtransistor-based main amplifier 101 using a current source. Biasnetwork1 204 contains circuitry to provide the proper feedback to biasfeedback networks 201 and 202. FIG. 5 is for illustration purpose andthere may be variations in the amplifier implementation. For examplesome branches may have bias feedback networks while the other branchesmay not have bias feedback network.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where atwo-branch amplifier 300 is implemented with one output network 301.Output network 301 combines the output signals from transistor-basedamplifiers 101 and 102. It also presents the appropriate load impedanceat output terminals 302 and 303 of transistor-based amplifiers 101 and102, respectively. The output network 301 can be implemented in variousforms. One possible implementation of the output network 301 is shown inFIG. 7. In this implementation, the networks denoted by N1 and N2, 401and 402 respectively provide the bias to the output nodes 302 and 303 ofthe transistor-based amplifiers 101 and 102 respectively. The networksN1 401 and N2 402 also convert the load impedance to the optimumimpedances required at the two transistor-based amplifier output nodes302 and 303 if impedance conversion is needed.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where atwo-branch amplifier 500 is implemented with two input networks 501 and502. Input network1 501 and input network2 502 convert the sourceimpedances to the optimum impedances required at the twotransistor-based amplifier input nodes 503 and 504 respectively ifimpedance conversion is needed. FIG. 8 is for illustration purpose andthere may be variations in the amplifier implementation. For examplesome branches may have input network while the other branches may nothave input network.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where atwo-branch amplifier 600 is implemented with one multi-port inputnetwork 601. The multi-port input network 601 splits the input signalfrom the input port 602 between the two amplifier branches. Themulti-port input network also converts the source impedance to theoptimum impedances required at the two transistor-based amplifier inputnodes 603 and 604 respectively if impedance conversion is needed. Theinput network 601 can be implemented in various forms. One possibleimplementation of the input network 601 is shown in FIG. 10. In thisimplementation, the power divider network 701 splits the input signalfrom the input port 602 between the two amplifier branches. IMN1 network702 and IMN2 network 703 then provide the optimum source impedance tothe transistor-based amplifier input terminals 603 and 604.

To extend the power range at which the amplifier presents highefficiency, the number of amplifier branches can be increased. In thiscase, one of the branches should be biased using a current source andthe other branches can be biased with either voltage or current sources.FIG. 11 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where athree-branch amplifier 800 has one current-biased transistor-based mainamplifier 101 and two transistor-based auxiliary amplifiers 102 and 103.The output bias2 105, output bias3 106 and input biases 110, 111 and 112can be supplied using a single or multiple source(s). Having twotransistor-based auxiliary amplifiers 102 and 103 results in highefficiency at larger output power back-off range. Accordingly, thisembodiment of the present invention enables higher efficiency forsignals having larger values of PAPR.

The transistor-based amplifiers 101, 102 and 103 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.11 can be implemented using any of the technologies that can be used fortransistor amplifier design. Some exemplary technologies that can beused for designing the transistor-based amplifiers 101, 102 and 103 arethe Field-Effect Transistors (FET), Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJT),Hetero-junction Bipolar Transistors (HBT) or High Electron MobilityTransistors (HEMT). Any other technologies that are used to makeelectrical amplifiers can be also used in designing transistor-basedamplifiers 101, 102 and 103.

The transistor-based amplifiers 101, 102 and 103 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.11 can be implemented using different topologies used in transistoramplifier designs. Some exemplary topologies that can be used to designtransistor-based amplifiers 101, 102 and 103 are the common-source,common-gate, common emitter, common-base and cascode amplifiers. Theseare examples of the topologies that can be used as the transistor-basedamplifiers 101, 102 and 103 and the topologies are not limited to thesecases.

FIG. 12 shows simplified schematics of two exemplary embodiments of thecurrent biased amplifier 101 in FIG. 4 to FIG. 11. In FIG. 12A, acurrent-biased bipolar-based common-emitter amplifier is shown. FIG.12B, shows a current-biased cascode configuration using MOSFETtransistors.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of the multi-branch wideband highefficiency power amplifier 1000. In this exemplary embodiment, FETtransistors are used as the amplifier units 101 and 102. The output ofthe main amplifier 101 is biased using the constant current source 104through the output bias network 204. The input of the main amplifier 101is biased using input bias1 110 through the bias feedback 201. In thisexemplary embodiment, the output of the second amplifier 102 is biasedusing the output bias2 source 105 through the output network 301 and itsinput is biased using input bias2 111 through the bias feedback 202. Theinput signal from input node 602 is divided using the power divider 701.The matching networks 702 and 703 provide proper impedance matching anddelay adjustment at the inputs of the two amplifiers 101 and 102. Theoutput network 301 provides proper load impedance to the amplifiers 101and 102 and also combine the output powers from the two amplifiers 101and 102 and delivers the output power to the output terminal 116.

The typical performance of an exemplary embodiment of the currentinvention with one current-biased main amplifier and one voltage-biasedauxiliary amplifier are shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. FIG. 14 shows thatthis amplifier exhibits power-added efficiency (PAE) values higher than40% at 7 dB output power back-off over the 400-3200 MHz frequency range.FIG. 15 shows the output power obtained from the same amplifier over thesame 400-3200 MHz frequency range.

Accordingly, it can be understood from the above description that thepresent invention provides the opportunity to achieve high efficiency atlarge output power range while simultaneously achieving very largeoperational frequency bandwidth.

It may be seen that the topologies of the present matter differ fromprior art such as the Doherty, outphasing and other amplifiertopologies.

FIG. 16A shows the schematic of a typical push-pull amplifier 20. Thepush-pull amplifier 20 uses bipolar transistor technology. In thepush-pull amplifier 20, one NPN bipolar transistor 21 and one PNPbipolar transistor 22 is used. The input signal is applied to the inputterminal 23 and the output signal is delivered to the output terminal24. The constant-voltage output bias source 25 is used to bias thetransistors 21 and 22. In this configuration different types oftransistors (NPN and PNP) are used. In some applications, differenttypes of transistors cannot be used.

FIG. 16B shows the schematic of a push-pull amplifier 30 for MOSFETtransistor technology using an input transformer 33 and an outputtransformer 34. In the push-pull amplifier 30, two N-channel MOSFETtransistors 31 and 32 are used. Because of using the same type for bothtransistors, one input transformer 33 and one output transformer 34 areneeded in the amplifier structure. The constant-voltage output bias 37is used to bias the transistors 31 and 32 through the output transformer34. The input bias source 38 is used to bias the input terminals of thetransistors 31 and 32 through the input transformer 33. The input signalis applied to the input terminal 35 and the output signal is deliveredto the output node 36. Due to limited operating frequency range of thetransformers, using the input transformer 33 and the output transformer34 limits the operation bandwidth of the push-pull amplifier 30.

Referring to FIG. 17 there is shown a schematic block diagram of apush-pull amplifier 1100 according to an embodiment of the presentmatter. The push-pull amplifier 1100 includes two transistors of thesame type 1101 and 1102. In case of bipolar transistors, transistors1101 and 1102 both can be of NPN type. In case of bipolar transistors,transistors 1101 and 1102 both can be of PNP type. In case of FETtransistors, transistors 1101 and 1102 both can be of N-channel type. Incase of FET transistors, transistors 1101 and 1102 both can be ofP-channel type.

The transistor 1101 is biased through its output terminal by aconstant-current output bias1 source 1105. The second transistor 1102 isbiased through its output terminal by a constant-voltage output bias2source 1106. The output voltages of the two transistors can bedifferent. DC-blocking elements 1107A and 1107B are used to separate thelow frequency components of the transistor output voltages. The DCblocking components 1107A and 1107B present very low impedance at theoperating frequency range of the amplifier. The input signal is appliedto the input terminal 1103 and the output signal is delivered to theoutput terminal 1104.

FIGS. 18A and 18B show the input voltage and transistor currentwaveforms, respectively of the transistors 1101 and 1102. FIG. 18A showsthe input signal applied to the input terminal 1103 of the push-pullamplifier 1000. In the first half-cycle (time between 0 and T/2), thevoltage biased transistor 1102 turns on and current flows into thevoltage biased transistor. It causes the current to be drawn from theoutput terminal 1104. The dashed lines in FIG. 18B are the current goingthrough the voltage-biased transistor 1102 for different amplitudes ofthe input voltage signal. In the second half-cycle (time between T/2 andT), the voltage biased transistor 1102 turns off and the current flowinginto the voltage-biased transistor is zero. Referring to FIG. 3, in thefirst half-cycle (time between 0 and T/2), the current biased transistor1101 remains in saturation and draws a constant current from the load.In the second half-cycle (time between T/2 and T), the current flowingthrough the current-biased transistor 1101 decreases according to theinput voltage signal resulting in current injection into the outputterminal 1104. The solid lines in FIG. 18B are the current going throughthe current-biased transistor 1101 for different amplitudes of the inputvoltage signal. The resulting current waveform in the output terminal isshown in FIG. 18C for different input signal amplitudes.

As can be seen from the waveforms, by using a current-biased transistorand a voltage-biased transistor, pure sinusoidal output signal can beobtained by using two transistors of the same type and without usingtransformers at the input and output of the amplifier.

FIG. 19 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where apush-pull amplifier 1200 is implemented with one transistor 1101 biasedthrough its output terminal by an output bias1 source 1105, onetransistor 1102 biased through its output terminal by an output bias2source 1106, two input bias sources 1201 and 1202, two output biasnetworks 1203 and 1204, and two input bias networks 1205 and 1206. Theinput bias sources 1201 and 1202 are used to bias the input terminals ofthe transistors 1101 and 1102 respectively. Using input bias sources1201 and 1202 improves linearity of the amplifier by decreasingdistortions in the output current waveforms. The two output biasnetworks 1203 and 1204 are used to decrease signal current leakage intothe output bias sources 1105 and 1106 respectively. The two input biasnetworks 1205 and 1206 are used to decrease signal current leakage intothe input bias sources 1201 and 1202 respectively. The input voltages ofthe two transistors can be different. DC-blocking elements 1207A and1207B are used to separate the low frequency components of thetransistor input voltages. The DC blocking components 1207A and 1207Bpresent very low impedance at the operating frequency range of theamplifier.

FIG. 20 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where apush-pull amplifier 1300 is implemented with an input network 1301. Theinput network 1301 converts the source impedance to the optimumimpedance required at the transistor inputs if impedance conversion isneeded.

FIG. 21 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where apush-pull amplifier 1400 is implemented with an output network 1401. Theoutput network 1401 converts the load impedance to the optimum impedancerequired at the transistor outputs if impedance conversion is needed.

FIG. 22 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where apush-pull amplifier 1500 is implemented with two additional biasfeedback networks 1501 and 1502. For amplitude-modulated signals, thebias voltage for current-biased transistor 1101 varies according to theenvelope of the input signal. This varying voltage can be used for biasstabilization and input bias adaptation by using bias feedback networks1501 and 1502. The input bias adaptation can be used for linearizationof the push-pull amplifier 1500. Bias feedback1 1501 can also be used toavoid thermal runaway when biasing transistor 1101 using a currentsource.

FIG. 23 shows an exemplary embodiment of the current invention where apush-pull amplifier 1600 is implemented with one additional switchcircuit 1601. The switch circuit 1601 is used to prevent the outputcurrent of the voltage biased transistor 1102 from leaking into thecurrent-biased transistor 1101 during the half cycle that voltage-biasedtransistor 1102 is active. Referring to FIG. 18, the switch circuit 1601presents an open circuit at the first half cycle (time between 0 andT/2) where the voltage-biased transistor 1102 is active. The switchcircuit 1601 presents short circuit at the second half cycle (timebetween T/2 and T) where the voltage-biased transistor 1102 is off.

Referring to FIG. 24 there is shown a block diagram of an amplifier 2400according to another embodiment of the present matter. The amplifier2400 includes first and second active devices 24102, 24101 connected incascade, with the cascade having an input 241 and an output 242. Theamplifiers 24102, 24101 have respective bias circuits 24104, 24105. Inthe illustrated embodiment the first amplifier 24102 has a current biascircuit 24104 and the second amplifier 24101 has a voltage bias circuit24105. In a still further embodiment the first amplifier 24102 has avoltage bias circuit 24104 and the second amplifier 24101 has a currentbias circuit 24105. The ratio of the output signal at the outputterminal 242 and the input signal at the input terminal 241 issubstantially constant as a function of the amplitude of the inputsignal such that the first amplifier in the cascade with the secondamplifier acts as a predistorter for the second amplifier. Further, theamplifier 2400 is configured by choosing the appropriate biasing andimpedance matching conditions for linearization of this amplifier suchthat the ratio of the output signal to the input signal is constant as afunction of the input signal magnitude. As may be appreciated thecascaded current biased and voltage biased combination may be used inmultibranch amplifier circuit configurations described herein whereinthe cascaded arrangement may provide linearization (where one of theamplifiers in the cascade acts as a the predistorter for the secondamplifier in the cascade) in the branches.

In summary it may be seen from the above that current sources (capableof delivering a constant current independent of the voltage across it)used as a source of bias for power amplifiers provide many technicaladvantages over voltage source biased amplifiers. Furthermore, in amulti-branch high efficiency ultra-wideband amplifier which uses onecurrent-biased transistor-based main amplifier branch and one or moretransistor-based auxiliary amplifier branch(es), the present amplifierachieves high efficiency at large output power back-off levelsthroughout a large frequency bandwidth. In addition, high efficiency isobtained over larger power back-off ranges by increasing the number ofauxiliary branches. As described earlier wideband push-pull amplifieruse the same transistor technologies and types without the need forbaluns or transformers at either the input or output or both. Thepush-pull amplifier utilizes one current-biased transistor and onevoltage-biased transistor.

As various modifications could be made to the exemplary embodiments, asdescribed above with reference to the corresponding illustrations,without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatall matter contained in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather thanlimiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention shouldnot be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments butshould be defined in accordance with the following claims appendedhereto and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An amplifier comprising: a current-biased activedevice; a voltage-biased active device, the voltage-biased active deviceand the current-biased active device are connected in series, to form acascade of active devices; and an input terminal and an output terminal,the cascade of active devices connected between the input terminal andthe output terminal, having an output terminal for driving a loadimpedance with an output signal in response to an input signal appliedto the input terminal.
 2. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein a ratio ofthe output signal to the input signal is constant as a function of theinput signal.
 3. The amplifier of claim 1, wherein bias of the activedevices are each configured to linearize the amplifier.
 4. The amplifierof claim 3, wherein linearization maintains a ratio of the output signalto the input signal constant as a function of the input signal.
 5. Amultibranch amplifier comprising: a first transistor-based amplifier ina first amplifier branch and at least one second transistor-basedamplifier in an additional branch; and a constant current sourceconnected to provide a bias point of at least one of thetransistor-based amplifiers.
 6. The multibranch amplifier of claim 5,further comprising at least one bias feedback network to adjust the biaspoints of the transistor-based amplifiers, to stabilize and tune thebias points according to an input signal power.
 7. The multibranchamplifier of any one of claim 5, further comprising an output networkcombining the output signals from branches of the amplifier andproviding optimum impedance at output terminals of each transistor-basedamplifier through load modulation to improve the efficiency of theultra-wideband amplifier.
 8. The multibranch amplifier of claim 5,further comprising at least one input network to provide an impedancematch at the input terminal of at least one transistor-based amplifier.9. The multibranch amplifier of claim 5, further comprising an inputsplitter to distribute an input signal among branches of the multibranchamplifier.
 10. An amplifier comprising: a first transistor-basedamplifier and at least one second transistor-based amplifier; a constantvoltage source connected to provide a first bias point for one of thefirst and second transistor-based amplifiers to generate first loadmodulation behavior by increasing output power in response to decreasingeffective impedance at an output; and a constant current sourceconnected to provide a second bias point for the other of the first andsecond transistor-based amplifiers to generate second load modulationbehavior by increasing output power in response to decreasing effectiveimpedance at the output.
 11. The amplifier of claim 10, wherein firsttransistor-based amplifier and the at least one second transistor-basedamplifier are connected in series.